Chin-support.



No. 892,860. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908. C. J. LEWIS. GHIN SUPPORT1 APPLICATION FILED MAn.14.19oa.

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CARL (I. LEWIS, OF KANAWHA, IOWA.

CHIEN-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1908.

Application filed March 14, 1908. Serial No. 421,125.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL J. Iinwis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kanawha, in the county of Hancock and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Chin Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chin supports, the object of the invention being to provide an appliance especially designed for the use of undertakers and embalmers for supporting the chin of a corpse without forcing or pushing the head back so as to impart an unnatural position and appearance to the corpse.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for applying the device to the head in a way which will avoid disfiguring or marring the face.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing z-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a chin support embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

In the use of the old style support used for the support of the chin, the head of the corpse is pressed back too far on account of the support being interposed between the chest and chin and where formaldehyde Huid is used in the embalming process the neck becomes set in such position which is productive of a strained and unnatural position of the head. By means of the present invention the chin is supported independently of the chest by means mounted entirely upon the head.

To this end the device comprises a head strap 1 adapted to pass over the head, the said strap being split as shown at 2 so as to form two branches or arches 3 which Vfirmly set themselves on the top of the head. The end portions of the strap also comprises take-ups 4 in the form of buckles by means of which the strap may be adjusted to heads of dierent sizes.

The main body or frame 5 of the device is of arcuate or inverted archshape, as

shown in Fig. 1, the opposite ends thereof being provided with openings 6 to receive the bights at the opposite extremities of the head stra a 1.

Centrally the frame 5.is provided with a guide opening 7 through which passes the s'tem or shank S of a chin rest 9 which is preferably padded as shown at 1() by lining the upper surface thereof with some soft fabric which will prevent abrasion of the skin. The chin rest 9 should preferably con-- form somewhat to the general shape of the chin so as to provide a 'Iii-1n broad bearing thereon and prevent any indentation on the chin while the chin rest is in use.

Connected to the frame 5 at opposite sides of the stem or shank 8 are spring clutches 11 and 12 each of which is in the form of a single leaf spring having one end thereof connected permanently as shown at 13 while at or near its opposite end it is provided with an opening 14 slightly larger than the stem 8 so that when the chin rest 10 is pushed up under the chin the spring clutches 11 are urged in the opposite direction away from the 'frame 5 in order that they will obtain a firm clutching grip on the stem S and hold the chin rest snugly against the chin thereby closing the mouth and effectively supporting the chin without any pushing action on the head which would tend to throw the head out of a natural position. The width and shape of the frame 5 has the effect of holding the end portions of the strap 1 out 0f contact with the face and thus avoids any disiigurement by reason of the presence of said strap.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. A device of the class described comprising a frame piece, a head strap having the opposite ends thereof connected to the opposite ends of the frame piece, a chin rest provided with a stem havinga sliding engagement with the frame piece, and a friction clutch on the frame piece engaging said stem and adapted to support the chin rest and admit of the adjustment thereof relatively to 'the frame piece.

2. A device of the class described comprising an arcuate frame piece, a head strap having the ends thereof connected to the opposite ends of the frame piece, a chin rest provided with a stem passing through an opening in the frame piece', and oppositeiy arranged spring clutches connected With the frame piece and engaging the stem on the justment relatively to the frame piece7 substantially as described.

In testimony whereof V aX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

Witnesses:

F. L. BUSH, L. D. PENIHO.

. CARL J. LEWIS.

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